I've been playing my "D" whistle for a couple of years now and haven't ventured into playing tunes in "other" keys -- like C or A. Do I understand this correctly? If I pick up a C-whistle and play a C-tune using the fingering for a D-whistle, the tune will come out correctly -- in C? I find this confusing and delightful at the same time. Any comments you can offer to help me understand this would be appreciated?
you've got it. play the same tune on a C the same as on a D, and voila, you've got the same tune in C other than D. works with all whistles and all keys, void where prohibited
My new brass burke D arrived in the post couple days back, and although the C natural is a bit dodge, I'm particularly pleased to note that it handles G# and D# half-holing particularly well. I feel a rash of E major tunes coming on... mwuhahahaha!
With your C whislte, you can easily play along with East Clare fiddlers or concertina players. I haven't got any C whistle yet, but when I get one, I'll enjoy playing these tunes:
It's always great to get an arsenal of whistles, but like ripthecalico says, learn to play in other keys on yer D whistle as well. Even if you're lazy about half-holing (like me) it's very easy to play in A minor and G major on a D whistle.
Another good reason for playing in other keys on the one whistle is the tone factor. The larger whistles sound more flute-like, so playing in F on a C whistle is going to sound much less shrill than playing F on the much smaller F whistle. On the other hand, it is sometimes desirable to play the desired key on the highest pitched instrument you can to help the sound carry or to contrast with other instruments with which you might be playing.
Playing tunes in "other" keys on the whistle
Playing tunes in "other" keys on the whistle
I've been playing my "D" whistle for a couple of years now and haven't ventured into playing tunes in "other" keys -- like C or A. Do I understand this correctly? If I pick up a C-whistle and play a C-tune using the fingering for a D-whistle, the tune will come out correctly -- in C? I find this confusing and delightful at the same time. Any comments you can offer to help me understand this would be appreciated?
# Posted on July 22nd 2006 by justwhistle
Re: Playing tunes in "other" keys on the whistle
you've got it. play the same tune on a C the same as on a D, and voila, you've got the same tune in C other than D. works with all whistles and all keys, void where prohibited
# Posted on July 22nd 2006 by Harper_Lad
Re: Playing tunes in "other" keys on the whistle
I think its admirable when people play tunes in A on a D whistle rather than moaning its too hard
# Posted on July 22nd 2006 by Ripthecalico
Re: Playing tunes in "other" keys on the whistle
My new brass burke D arrived in the post couple days back, and although the C natural is a bit dodge, I'm particularly pleased to note that it handles G# and D# half-holing particularly well. I feel a rash of E major tunes coming on... mwuhahahaha!
# Posted on July 22nd 2006 by Q
Re: Playing tunes in "other" keys on the whistle
With your C whislte, you can easily play along with East Clare fiddlers or concertina players. I haven't got any C whistle yet, but when I get one, I'll enjoy playing these tunes:
Martin Rochford's: http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/1062
Julia Delaney's: http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/589
# Posted on July 22nd 2006 by slainte
Re: Playing tunes in "other" keys on the whistle
It's always great to get an arsenal of whistles, but like ripthecalico says, learn to play in other keys on yer D whistle as well. Even if you're lazy about half-holing (like me) it's very easy to play in A minor and G major on a D whistle.
# Posted on July 23rd 2006 by Squeezeboxgirl
Re: Playing tunes in "other" keys on the whistle
Another good reason for playing in other keys on the one whistle is the tone factor. The larger whistles sound more flute-like, so playing in F on a C whistle is going to sound much less shrill than playing F on the much smaller F whistle. On the other hand, it is sometimes desirable to play the desired key on the highest pitched instrument you can to help the sound carry or to contrast with other instruments with which you might be playing.
# Posted on July 23rd 2006 by tuneful